The Chinese government on Thursday turned over 3,000 units
of assault rifles as part of its continuing “military assistance
gratis” to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Defense Secretary
Delfin Lorenzana said the Chinese weapons were supposed to go to the
military, but President Duterte felt the police needed them more.

“We
are lucky that the Chinese government provided the firearms,” Lorenzana
said at a news conference, where stacks of rifles were on display.ADVERTISEMENT

The
M4 rifles will be turned over to the Philippine National Police for the
use of its special units and not for policemen on foot patrol carrying
out the government’s war against illegal drugs, according to AFP chief
of staff Gen. Eduardo Año.

The turnover ceremonies took place on
Thursday at Camp Aguinaldo with Año, Lorenzana and Chinese Ambassador to
the Philippines Zhao Jianhua.

Aside from the assault rifles, the
Chinese government also donated 3 million rounds of ammunition and 90
scopes for the sniper rifles that were part of the first batch of
weapons donated by China in June and received by Mr. Duterte himself.

The
donation was coursed through the defense ministries of the two
governments so that it would be the Department of National Defense and
the AFP that would turn over the weapons to the PNP.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Philippines Navy commissions its largest "Made in China" vessel

The oil tanker was formerly one of the largest vessels in the fleet
of the oil transport corporation. Built in Zhejiang Zhongxing Shipyard
in Taizhou, China in November 2007, the AF-81 was commissioned by the
PNOC in January 2008. - Camille Diola

Saturday, July 09, 2011

China offers to train the Armed Forces of Philippines

After aiding the Armed Forces of Philippines in their fight against the
communist rebels, the PLA continues to maintain its military training
invitations to the AFP despite the current dispute. Exchanges as such
demonstrate the relationship between China with its neighbors in Asia is
complex and not driven by a single issue.

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has been
invited by China to send some local officials for schooling in its
military school, a move that could bolster relationship between the two
countries amid tensions brought by the alleged intrusions at the
disputed Spratlys Island.

But Commodore Jose Miguel Rodriguez, AFP spokesman, was quick to clarify
that China has been sending invitations in the past only that this
year’s invite is being highlighted because of the Spratlys tension.

“China has invited us to send our students to take up the GSC and that
is something that will build personal relations, the way we are doing it
with other countries,” said Rodriguez.

GSC stands for General Staff Course, a requirement for promotion to colonel.

Such invitation, along with the visit of Foreign Affairs Secretary
Alberto del Rosario could ease the tension between the two
claimant-countries according to Rodriguez.

The official would not comment on the talking points on del Rosario’s
visit but said that the presence of the latter in China would stabilize
the situation amid the issues raised by the Philippines that there have
been at least six intrusions committed in Spratlys believed to be by
China.

“We are just very hopeful that there will be a lot of positive results in the visit,” said Rodriguez.

But for Rodriguez, what is needed to ease the Spratlys tension is for
claimant-countries to be open and transparent on the things they do
inside the disputed island group.

“More exchange of information, more openness, a lot more transparencies
like if you are going there you should at least inform the other
country,” said Rodriguez
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/325856/china-invites-afp-schooling

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines, a long-time US ally and former
colony, said it will sign a logistics supply deal with China to source military equipment to combat domestic security threats, including from Maoist rebels.

General Ricardo David, Chief of Staff of the 130,000-member Armed
Forces of the Philippines, will fly on Tuesday to Beijing, where he
will meet senior defense and army officials and also tour military
facilities, the Philippine military said.

David will sign a defense logistics deal with his counterpart in the
People's Liberation Army (PLA), with talks expected to cover regional
security concerns, including tensions in the Korean peninsula and the
peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea, where Beijing
and Manila have competing claims.

"I would suppose this will start the influx of logistics coming from
mainland China," military spokesman Brigadier-General Jose Mabanta told
reporters on the planned deal.

The Philippines has one of the weakest militaries in the Asia-Pacific
region, in part relying on second-hand aircraft, boats and assault
rifles from the United States, its closest security partner and former
colonial ruler.

"I don't think there will be any political implications," Mabanta said
when asked about the likely U.S. reaction. "The Philippine Armed Forces
really lack funds and equipment and is ready and willing to accept
equipment and much-needed resources from any donor country. This
includes, of course, China."

Expanding soft power

Last year, a US congressional report warned of China's "soft power", of
expanding its influence in the region through billions of dollars in
development assistance and investments, particularly in the
Philippines, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

In August, US military officials said Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea was causing concern in the region.

China has previously donated engineering equipment, such as graders and
bulldozers, which the army used to build roads in rural areas where
the Maoist New People's Army (NPA) is active. It has also offered to
sell artillery, helicopters and boats.

Since 2000, Washington has donated more than $500 million of military
equipment and supplies to Manila. It has also provided training and
advice on countering Islamic militants in the south.

The United States has also funded assistance to poorer rural communities to check the spread of NPA influence and control.

The Philippines has a modernization fund of about $150 million to
upgrade transport aircraft and combat helicopters to fight Muslim
separatists and Maoist guerrillas.
as of 12/07/2010 12:07 AM